As the country’s continues to fight the consequence of a volatile grid and subsequent power crisis, Eskom says it aims to roll out a smart meter in every home within the next four years. The estimated R16 billion project aims to recover more than 7000 MW into the grid. Importantly, according to the utility, the smart meters will utilise a management system which will allow consumers to decide when to use electricity based on how much it will cost. For users with smart prepaid meters the amount used will be taken from a prepaid balance.
This brings us to an interesting point: whilst most people have heard or already use smart meters how do prepaid smart meters work and what are the benefits?
“A conventional prepaid metering system uses cards or an or integrated keypad to recharge the prepaid meter. The prepaid meter offers the requisite hardware and software to recharge (bought from prepaid voucher providers) and determines the remaining credit on the customer account,” explains Dwibin Thomas, cluster automation leader at Schneider Electric.
Dwibin Thomas.
Unlike their prepaid cousins, smart prepaid meters provide real-time data on power consumption via a smart energy management system. This data can be accessed remotely, allowing users to proactively monitor their usage and adjust it accordingly. “This is particularly beneficial to households and businesses that use hybrid solar/grid systems. A common complaint by prepaid users is that when they do switch over to a hybrid system, they don’t have real-time insight into the status of their prepaid account, that is, how many units are left,” he explains.
Accessing the meter is only possible when the system is exclusively powered by the grid, which presents a significant limitation. This becomes problematic, for instance, when the solar system fails to charge adequately due to cloud cover, and the base load, such as battery storage, requires grid charging. If one is not present at the physical prepaid meter, it becomes impossible to determine the available units for charging batteries and ensuring uninterrupted power supply to homes or businesses during loadshedding.
Another important benefit of a smart prepaid meter is it provides users with information on their data consumption patterns, allowing households and businesses to make informed decisions on where energy can be saved or optimised. Whilst this is not a new feature to traditional smart meters, it is not one that is currently available on traditional prepaid meters.
“Smart prepaid meters offer both tangible and intangible benefits. They have the capability to identify faulty wiring and detect unsafe electrical conditions, which can prevent accidents and reduce the risk of electrical fires. Also, these smart prepaid meters incorporate robust encrypted security features that safeguard users’ personal and financial information, ensuring their privacy and data protection” says Thomas.
Smart prepaid meters undoubtedly provide a myriad benefits, and the good news is making current prepaid meters smarter won’t require a forklift rollout. “Schneider Electric’s EcoStruxure Advanced Metering Operation software architecture is meter agnostic and offers advanced integration to achieve effective, large-scale advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) deployment that lowers operational costs, improves end-customer services, and results in smarter, sustainable energy,” concludes Thomas.
Bringing brownfield plants back to life Schneider Electric South Africa
IT in Manufacturing
Today’s brownfield plants are typically characterised by outdated equipment and processes, and face challenges ranging from inefficient operations to safety hazards. However, all is not lost, as these plants stand to gain a lot from digitalisation and automation.
Read more...Power supply with scalability optimised Schneider Electric South Africa
Electrical Power & Protection
Schneider Electric has introduced the Easy UPS 3-Phase Modular to the South African marketplace. This robust uninterruptible power supply (UPS) is designed to protect critical loads while offering third-party verified Live Swap functionality.
Read more...Prioritising arc flash safety Comtest
Electrical Power & Protection
Comtest has developed a range of thermal imaging and wireless testing tools from Fluke, designed to ensure safety is the top priority for engineers working in potentially dangerous arc flash zones.
Read more...Step into the visual factory Turck Banner Southern Africa
Editor's Choice Electrical Power & Protection
At Banner, the visual factory comprises three key applications for lighting and indication in industrial settings. These applications include the ability to help machines and workstations quickly communicate their status to people nearby, to use light to guide workers to perform certain tasks such as part picking, and to provide illumination for work areas and tasks.
Read more...The commercialisation of battery energy storage systems RJ Connect
Electrical Power & Protection
According to the ‘Electricity Market Report 2023’ published by the International Energy Agency), 98% of new power will be generated from renewable energy in the next three years. We need megawatt-level battery energy storage systems (BESS) with fast responses.
Read more...No more shocking, inaccurate insulation testing Comtest
Electrical Power & Protection
Fluke has introduced the Fluke 1535 and 1537 2500 V insulation resistance testers, engineered to simplify frontline troubleshooting, whether on the factory floor or working in the field at a solar installation.
Read more...Monitoring the voltage drop in cables Turck Banner Southern Africa
Electrical Power & Protection
With its new M12Plus connectors, Turck Banner is directly shifting the condition monitoring of cables subject to severe stress to the connection technology. The connectors, which come with voltage and current monitoring and a Bluetooth chip, enable measured voltage and current values to be sent wirelessly to a controller.
Read more...Mesh networks: a multidirectional electrical superhighway Schneider Electric South Africa
Electrical Power & Protection
Today, many power industry stakeholders are faced with mounting requirements for improved grid reliability, resilience and distribution efficiency. It’s a challenge which requires power service providers to rethink their infrastructure. Enter mesh networks, which can overcome the limitations of traditional star networks.
Read more...Schneider Electric announces 2023 Global Alliance Partner Programme award winners Schneider Electric South Africa
News
Schneider Electric has announced the winners of the 2023 Global Alliance Excellence Awards. Throughout 2023, Schneider Electric’s Alliance Partners supported customers in the digitalisation of industrial automation, delivering value with innovative initiatives, solutions and services.
Read more...Versatile flexible copper busbar
Electrical Power & Protection
Referro Systems specialises in the supply and support of industrial electrical, automation and global software and hardware brands, and is now able to offer the Cubic range of Cu-Flex flexible copper busbars.
printer friendly version